BIOACTION project partner Mariangela Clemente from CNR-Institute for Biological Systems (ISB) presented her poster at the second Symposium for Young Chemists (SYNC). The event, which took place in Rome from June 24-28, 2024, brought together early-career researchers in chemistry and biomaterials from Europe and beyond.
Mariangela’s poster, co-authored by project partners Francesca Ceccacci, Cecilia Bombelli, Giovanna Mancini, Diego Cotella, and Lia Rimondini, earned the “Best Poster Presentation” award among over 130 submissions!
With “Multicompartmental Janus Liposomes (MJL) as components of an innovative material for implant devices: how to convert bacteria-associated biofilm into a resource.” Mariangela presented the use of Multicompartmental Janus Liposomes (MJL)—tiny two-faced vesicles that can adhere to both bacterial biofilms and hydrogels. These liposomes are designed to transfect bacteria with genetic sequences, turning them from harmful pathogens into bio-factories to produce proteins that promote tissue regeneration.
In her poster, Mariangela shared preliminary data from the BIOACTION project, including the preparation and characterization of lipoplexes (complexes of genetic material and liposomes) and MJLs. The aim is to develop gene-loaded bio-hydrogels that can be used as coatings for implants or injectable materials for treating infection sites.
These results are only the first steps in a long journey toward an ambitious goal: revolutionizing the classic treatment of implant-associated infections. Being awarded in this key event will surely get young researchers and their teams talking about our project!
Contributing to the poster’s success, INsociety provided a graphical abstract illustrating the structure and function of the multicompartmental Janus liposomes. This visual helped explain how the liposomes will be integrated into BIOACTION’s hydrogels to achieve their therapeutic goals.
We congratulate Mariangela Clemente and all the contributing partners for this well-deserved recognition and their ongoing efforts in advancing the BIOACTION project.